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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - hot halogen

Will halogen bulbs put out enough heat to melt the plastic tail/stop light lens of my bugeye? Bob Chamberlain
chamberlain Bob

Why not go for led bulbs?
Gary lazarus

The downside of halogen is that if you car electrics arent 100% you might expect a 70% performance from halogen bulbs. As our electrical system was designed by Lucas "prince of darkness" it could verywell be a disapointment. Led is a better option, no heat and they are available in standard fittings.
Bas Timmermans

Bob,

If the bulb wattage is the same then so will the heat output near as dammit. IIRC the halogens produce more light for the same wattage but the vast majority of the energy is wasted as heat either way. Now the other matter is do they actually make halogen stop/tail lamps, I've not heard of them but not looked either. The wattage is usually mandated so you don't dazzle people in other cars so having a greater light output for the same energy input might not be a good idea if excessive.
David Billington

David/Bob

halogen lamps burn at a higher temperature (hence the whiter light) for anny give same wattage.

Why not make sure all wires contacts are perfect end enjoy the normal bulbs as the should be.

They work fine give plenty of light no risk of frying wires or switches
Onno Könemann

I've had a lense get soft when the brake lights got stuck on. However, under normal use I've had no problems.

I like the looks of these LEDs:
http://www.litezupp.com/products
Trevor Jessie

Wow at that prize you can fit a relay, put some new wiring in and have a night with friends with beer.
Bas Timmermans

It seems LEDs are taking over the world, recently I was in a house and all the lighting was LEDs, and on dimmers, high energy effeciantcy, plus the light is so much nicer and refreashing

BUT these new twisted florecsent bulbs people are going to...the light delivers an emotional chill and harsh-ness to the room...real edgy...I say toss those fire bulbs in the trash and go back to incondecsent... its worth the extra $7.00 in your monthly electric bill

why fire bulbs... cause if the power is reduced to the bulb, it will catch fire....aka a dimmer switch or your old micro wave is on the same circuit as those twisted floresnt, and the circuit is maxed out just under the point of tripping the braker and there is a step down in power when the micro wave turns on for vary long...Fire in the hole!

Ive been seeing lots of new work/trouble lights in LEDs..vary nice, Im buying one eventually.
Prop

In the USA where an average hot day is hotter than a stinking hot day that you don't get very often in the UK you might?

I've had not problems with US sourced Halogen stop/tail with several years use but the rear lights are only on at night or in the wet or fog when it's cooler than the day time. I like to brake late and hard and use the handbrake in traffic.

Even if a rear lens melted it's preferable and cheaper to some dozy sod smacking into the back of your Spridget because the standard bulbs are crap.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

And the standard bulbs are perfect when every thing is in good working order!!!!

sure fro the head light i get the halogen obsesion of some.
but on the other lights the normal bulbs will work fine.

Have not had to replace one for 2 years and counting and i always turn them on.
Never have anny trouble with people not seeing me.
Onno Könemann

Hi Onno,

Get some friends one of which has a Spridget, the other moderns to go for a drive on a wet or foggy drive - day or especially night and follow them.

One car soon 'disappears' - it's the Spridget. And, that's why I have halogen stop and tail lamps.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Hi Daniel
I do lots of driving with other classics (B's A's midget's)
And i think the are perfeclty visible no mather what the conditions are

Yes there are differences with the modern blinding tail lights.

But are it not the differences that make us drive our classics other than the modern boxes?
Onno Könemann

If you are worried about getting rear ended what about these, www.flashingbrakelights.co.uk had one fitted to an led rain light on my lotus mounted on the spare wheel
I Henderson

I can't see how flashing brake lights comply with MOT regulations.

Check that each stop lamp ... emits a steady red light

Reason for rejection ... emits other than a steady red light when the service brake is applied.

http://www.ukmot.com/1-3.asp#Text_top

Geoff Everitt

I think it is for the high level break light that isn't an mot requirement, I can see how it would work though
I Henderson

*I think it is for the high level break light that isn't an mot requirement*

True ... but it does say "This inspection applies to: all stop lamps fitted ... Any additional stop lamps fitted must be tested."

... so once an extra light has been fitted, it is subject to the same regulations as the original lights. (as I read it)
Geoff Everitt

Just seemed like a good solution to the chaps problem that all.
I Henderson

He's in the States anyway, so presumambly the legal requirements are different.

I doubt many Bugeyes have high level brake lights anyway.
Geoff Everitt

I used to run with a rain light attached
to a bull dog clip, removed when I got to my destination
I Henderson

see:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/

He will tell you how you see if your contacts are what they should be, about bulbs, relays and so on. When I renewed the headlamp circuit, suddenly the brake lights where a lot brighter.....

Flip


Flip Brühl 948 frog 59

This thread was discussed between 19/08/2010 and 23/08/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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